Workout tips for jihad offered by al-Qaeda supporting magazine

An al-Qaeda-supporting magazine has published workout tips for extremists planning jihad in countries such as Afghanistan.

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The exercise advice is contained in Jihad Recollections, an English language online magazine

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There are also diet tips in the magazine which emphasise eating dates and dry crackers and drinking water

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The magazine warns against visiting 'un-Islamic' western gyms

By John Bingham

10:29AM BST 21 Apr 2009

Complete with photographs of men in white robes with scarves covering their faces performing a variety of squats and sit-ups, it advises supporters to keep in shape so that they can "strike hard" against their enemies.

There is also a warning against visiting "un-Islamic" western gyms including LA Fitness with their "music, semi-naked women, free mixing and the danger of showing off".

And there is advice against using weights because of their unavailability on the front line in places such as Afghanistan.

The advice is contained in Jihad Recollections, an English language online magazine believed to be published in the United States which openly supports al-Qaeda and contains an article purporting to be written by Osama bin Laden

Jihadists fighting the Americans and the "Nato Crusading Army" – a reference to the international coalition in Afghanistan which includes British forces – are advised to take long walks to strengthen their legs for "carrying weapons and other equipment".

In order to build up arm strength, readers are told to do up to 150 press-ups a day and try to walk on their hands.

There are also diet tips which emphasise eating dates and dry crackers and drinking water, especially during Ramadan.

"Contrary to what many people believe, you really only need about 32 grams of protein, so don't waste your money on expensive protein milkshakes," the writer adds.

He describes it as "un-Islamic" to eat when not hungry simply in order to add weight, as his western fitness instructors had advised him, and claims that he has gained most muscle while fasting.